Endless power transmission belt

Abstract

An endless power transmission belt for operation in an endless path is provided and comprises a plurality of laterally spaced belt elements and a tie band interconnecting the belt elements. The tie band comprises a plurality of cooperating layers with one of the layers comprising a plurality of tensile members arranged in spaced substantially parallel relation along the endless path and with each of the tensile members extending across the entire transverse dimension of the tie band; and, the tensile members provide the strength for holding the belt elements in spaced relation. Another of the layers of the plurality of layers of the tie band is in the form of at least one fabric layer which improves the overall structural integrity of the tie band.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An endless power transmission belt for operating in an endless path comprising a plurality of laterally spaced belt elements and a tie band interconnecting said belt elements, said tie band comprising a plurality of cooperating layers, one of said layers comprising a plurality of tensile members arranged in spaced substantially parallel relation along said endless path with each of said tensile members extending across the entire transverse dimension of said tie band and said tensile members providing the strength for holding said belt elements in spaced relation, and another of said layers comprising a fabric layer which improves the overall structural integrity of said tie band. 
     
     
       2. A belt as set forth in claim 1 in which said tie band is made of elastomeric material having said plurality of layers embedded therein and said fabric layer prevents cracking of said elastomeric material and stripping of said tensile members. 
     
     
       3. A belt as set forth in claim 2 in which said tensile members are in the form of cords. 
     
     
       4. A belt as set forth in claim 2 in which said tensile members are in the form of cords and said one layer further comprising a plurality of comparatively weak tie strands holding said cords in said substantially parallel relation, said strands extending along said endless path. 
     
     
       5. A belt as set forth in claim 4 in which said warp cords are twisted cords. 
     
     
       6. A belt as set forth in claim 3 in which said fabric layer is a woven fabric layer having warps and wefts each disposed transverse said endless path with said warps and wefts being disposed at an angle ranging between 95° and 155° with each other. 
     
     
       7. A belt as set forth in claim 3 in which said fabric layer is a knitted layer. 
     
     
       8. A belt as set forth in claim 3 in which said fabric layer defines the outside surface of said tie band and belt. 
     
     
       9. A belt as set forth in claim 3 in which each of said elements has a substantially trapezoidal cross-sectional configuration and is comprised of a tension section, a compression section, and a load-carrying section with said tie band binding said elements together by bonding each element adjacent the tension section thereof. 
     
     
       10. A belt as set forth in claim 3 in which each of said belt elements has a woven cover defining its inside surface. 
     
     
       11. A belt as set forth in claim 9 in which each of said belt elements has raw-edged non-parallel sides. 
     
     
       12. A belt as set forth in claim 3 in which said elastomeric material is a rubber compound. 
     
     
       13. A belt as set forth in claim 3 in which each of said cords is a twisted cord. 
     
     
       14. An endless power transmission belt for operation in an endless path comprising a plurality of laterally spaced belt elements and a tie band interconnecting said belt elements, said tie band comprising an elastomeric matrix material and a plurality of cooperating layers embedded in said elastomeric matrix material, said layers comprising, a plurality of layers of tensile members with the tensile members in each layer being arranged in spaced substantially parallel relation along said endless path with each of said tensile members extending across the entire transverse dimension of said tie band and said tensile members providing the strength for holding said belt elements in said spaced relation, and a plurality of layers of fabric, said fabric layers improving the overall structural integrity of said tie band. 
     
     
       15. A belt as set forth in claim 14 in which each of said elements has a substantially trapezoidal cross-sectional configuration and is comprised of a tension section, a compression section, and a load-carrying section with said tie band binding said elements together by bonding each element adjacent the tension section thereof. 
     
     
       16. A belt as set forth in claim 15 in which each of said belt elements has raw-edged non-parallel sides. 
     
     
       17. A belt as set forth in claim 15 in which said layers of tensile members are arranged in substantially parallel relation throughout the thickness of said tie band. 
     
     
       18. A belt as set forth in claim 15 in which said tensile members are in the form of cords arranged perpendicular to said endless path. 
     
     
       19. A belt as set forth in claim 15 in which at least one of said fabric layers is a knitted layer. 
     
     
       20. A belt as set forth in claim 18 in which said elastomeric matrix material is a rubber compound, said plurality of fabric layers are in the form of a plurality of knitted fabric layers, and each of said cords is a twisted cord.